aerial.2000 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Well this is my pumpkin color I bought Marco a pumpkin yesterday at the store <grins all big> Has anyone else ever done the pumpkin thing with their grey? I thought Id take it and her outside and lay it on some newspaper and cut the top of it off and see what she thinks of that. Course I will have washed it before I start. Do I treat it like a sweet potato? Bake it til its soft? Is it ok for her to just sit and nibble on skin and all fresh and raw? Can I freeze part of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murfchck Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 How fun! I don't know the answers to any of your questions but i will be waiting to know them! Sounds like so much fun i wanna try it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Yes, me too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 We LOVE Halloween!! One of the best parts is the giant jack-o-lanterns! I wash pumpkins as best I can w/water & a veggie brush. Then soak them w/vinegar, leave them drip for a few minutes, then scrub them w/a scrunge & rinse again. Then I let the birds loose to help! I just pile up the guts & pieces while I work & let them go crazy. Great, great fun! Great big mess! But I made a pretty good mess carving pumpkins before they ever showed up. So I can't exactly blame it all on them. When we're done, I wash the left over pumpkin seeds, dry & refrigerate a couple of days worth to feed fresh. The rest get baked & put into air tight containers. Sometimes I mix them into things. Sometimes I feed them alone; plain or sprinkled w/something. My guys like them sprinkled w/cayenne pepper the best. And then lol I wash & chop some of the left over wall & put it up in small containers to freeze for them for whenever. :cool: Yep, we think pumpkins are pret-ty cool around here. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 So, pumpkin is safe cooked or raw for them and so are the seeds. That answers my questions at any rate. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I've actually never bothered to cook it. I almost always feed veggies & fruits raw. But since I've been reading about the benefits of steaming carrots, etc, I've been meaning to see about pumpkin. I also forgot to mention I like to try to time it so I can put up a batch of mash that weekend, too. Pumpkin's one of the things that they don't get all the time, like asparagus which I can only afford in the spring. I get the best part. They only get the butt ends. But it all helps to keep them from getting bored of the same old same old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Good idea! I'll have to see if Timber likes it. He will at least try it since he will probably think it is sweet potato He likes asparagus too. Did I read on here somewhere that asparagus isn't good for them though? I was thinking I was giving it to him pretty regularly then read it wasn't great for them. If that isn't right, I'd like to know, because his likes in vegetables are pretty limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Asparagus contains asparagine amino acid which is a diuretic & can cause watery poops from excessive urination. And yes, that was a bad example because it's one of the many foods on the debatable list w/things like Aloe Vera & I should add a disclaimer. My bad!! I'm sorry it didn't occur to me before you said something. Like I said, they don't get it too often. But they do get it kind of frequently for short intervals or a very little every day in the spring mash. They've never had any problem, even after the internet told me there might be one. And there are good things to feeding it. Sooo, I continue to give it to them & just watch to make sure nothing changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I didn't notice any changes when I was giving it to him. I'll add it back in to chop-type things I make him. I doubt that it would matter in those quantities since he didn't have a reaction when he was eating more of it! Like you, I certainly don't do it year round because of cost/availability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingy Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Funny I bought a small pumpkin today too and was wondering if I had to cook it or could just chop the top off and let him explore the different textures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Asparagus contains asparagine amino acid which is a diuretic & can cause watery poops from excessive urination. And yes, that was a bad example because it's one of the many foods on the debatable list w/things like Aloe Vera & I should add a disclaimer. My bad!! I'm sorry it didn't occur to me before you said something. Like I said, they don't get it too often. But they do get it kind of frequently for short intervals or a very little every day in the spring mash. They've never had any problem, even after the internet told me there might be one. And there are good things to feeding it. Sooo, I continue to give it to them & just watch to make sure nothing changes. What does Aloe Vera have to do with this thread? You're letting your bird drink it? That's not good. It isn't meant to be indigested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingy Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 What does Aloe Vera have to do with this thread? You're letting your bird drink it? That's not good. It isn't meant to be indigested. I did a google search and it appears that many people do. I am in no position to say if they should or should not only that people do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I did a google search and it appears that many people do. I am in no position to say if they should or should not only that people do. A google wasn't really necessay but it's one of the most common items that many people with digestive problems drink. It's found in pharmacies , large supermarkets. It's been used for years. No script is needed although gastroenterologists recommend that some patients may get help from it. Before, I was referring to aloe being given to birds, not people. Giving it to birds isn't a good idea and make them sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLB Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I just started another thread on this subject...so as not to hijack this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 What does Aloe Vera have to do with this thread? You're letting your bird drink it? That's not good. It isn't meant to be indigested. People obviously debate whether or not parrots should be fed fresh aloe slices. It has the same amino acid, I believe as well as salicylic acid (original anti inflammatory base in aspirin) & such that can apparently upset a parrot's tummy. It's not all that rare to find it on a toxic plant list. But a number of owners feed it regularly w/o bad side affects & feel it's actually good for fids ... just like asparagus which was originally the point. http://www.landofvos.com/articles/wingtips/aloe.html This is an article by Carolyn Swicegood. Not that she's infallible either. But some people think she knows some stuff. For anyone who doesn't want to read the whole thing, skip to the bottom for the part about fresh feeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) People obviously debate whether or not parrots should be fed fresh aloe slices. It has the same amino acid, I believe as well as salicylic acid (original anti inflammatory base in aspirin) & such that can apparently upset a parrot's tummy. It's not all that rare to find it on a toxic plant list. But a number of owners feed it regularly w/o bad side affects & feel it's actually good for fids ... just like asparagus which was originally the point.http://www.landofvos.com/articles/wingtips/aloe.html This is an article by Carolyn Swicegood. Not that she's infallible either. But some people think she knows some stuff. For anyone who doesn't want to read the whole thing, skip to the bottom for the part about fresh feeding. Please remember, landofvos is a holistic site. and Dave truly is a expert on Aloe Vera....This is fact not opinion... To really know what is 99% safe or unsafe is to visit a known and reputable site that is and has been well established, not a holistic or "I Think" type of site. When they add a item that has been established as safe, go for it, why temp fate just to use something some else doesn't use. Edited September 19, 2012 by Jayd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?196901-ALOE...consumption&p=268214#post268214 This is what I was thinking, but I'm much too lazy to do the long version again. lol aerial.2000, I'm so sorry I ever accidentally chose to mention asparagus & got all this stirred up on your punkin thread!! Edited September 19, 2012 by birdhouse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 They've never had any problem, even after the internet told me there might be one. And there are good things to feeding it. Sooo, I continue to give it to them & just watch to make sure nothing changes. I'd like to say something and use Birdhouse's reply as an example; this is NOT against Birdhouse or anyone else, please. I've noticed that many people make a similar statement to what has been stated above. This is very upsetting to me...To any statement such as I've been giving it to them for a while...what is awhile? A week, month, ten years, 20 years? There's very few parrots that have been on the forum for a long enough time to make an accurate decision about a lot of things..what will happen in time even to a parrot who has been fed good food? Remember, the study of many things related to our parrots are far and few between. So, this statement, "I've been doing it a (blank) amount of time" is not indicative of what could happen. To my other point, "I will continue to watch and see what happens", I would like to give a couple of examples: In another thread, Talon made a reference to an owner who had been told it was okay to feed the parrot garlic and the parrot died. To a personal experience that I had, (this is only an comparative example because parrots don't build model airplanes), It was not too long ago found out that the human system has a tolerance level for epoxy cement which was totally unheard of with model builders and varies from person to person. This would relate to a food item or chemical to a bird's system. A close friend of mine, who had been an avid model builder had been building models using epoxy and had a reaction to epoxy which hospitalized him in very serious condition. The doctor said he had reached his tolerance level. I had been building models and using epoxy but had with no ill effect (that I know of). This analogy holds true for parrots as well as other animals. We don't know whether or when the items we feed our birds today might reach a tolerance limit in their systems that will harm or kill them. In regards to "watching our parrots to make sure nothing changes", do we do this until they become ill or heaven forbid even die, Instead of just refraining from giving them something that is known to possibly cause problems? There are so many good food items available to us that we don't have to feed our parrots apple seeds or spaghetti sauce just because and I don't want to spend my time watching and waiting for reactions to something I gave my parrot. SOOO, on with the pumpkins and tis the season, is almost here...Thanks, Jayd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarasota Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) Pumpkins are fabulous enrichment for parrots. I used to give large ones to the macaws (check out the miligold, Big Sam that used to live at my house) and they will rip them to shreads in minutes. They greys got the smaller ones and rolled them around for a day or two before getting the idea. You can also cut holes in the sides, stuff the pumpkin with toys, food and other goodies and impale them on kebobs. Fall has great fruits and veggies for parrots! Edit: Here's a great idea for Pumpkin/Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/images/PumpkinForagingToys.pdf Edited September 19, 2012 by Sarasota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLB Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Pumpkins are fabulous enrichment for parrots. I used to give large ones to the macaws (check out the miligold, Big Sam that used to live at my house) and they will rip them to shreads in minutes. They greys got the smaller ones and rolled them around for a day or two before getting the idea. You can also cut holes in the sides, stuff the pumpkin with toys, food and other goodies and impale them on kebobs. Fall has great fruits and veggies for parrots! Pretty bird...and I LOVE autumn! Looking forward to sharing the fall bounty with my birds too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 . We don't know whether or when the items we feed our birds today might reach a tolerance limit in their systems that will harm or kill them. In regards to "watching our parrots to make sure nothing changes", do we do this until they become ill or heaven forbid even die, Instead of just refraining from giving them something that is known to possibly cause problems? There are so many good food items available to us that we don't have to feed our parrots apple seeds or spaghetti sauce just because and I don't want to spend my time watching and waiting for reactions to something I gave my parrot. [/b]Thanks, Jayd I totally agree. Sometimes I'm amazed concerning all the different crazy things that people think up to feed parrots that are definitely wild and definitely scavengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 (edited) If no one ever tested the boundaries, domestic parrots would routinely have their wings clipped, live in 2 ft by 2 ft cages, & fed sunflower seeds & peanuts. They might even get the occasional time chained on a stand in the hall, just as a treat. Wonder if some old pirate saw a fid munching on a chicken bone, having supper w/his captain & thought, "Are you nuts?!! Who does that?!!!" But a few hundred years later, here we are. I'm old enough to have lived life "for a little while" before the internet. And it's my God given right to leave it at that. If, as in the case of feeding asparagus, I don't specify anything more, let's agree that it's something I've been doing for the past 20 yrs(ish ) because I really can't remember anymore. If it were a new thing, I would establish a bit more specific time frame. Like feeding aloe for the past "few years". So more than 3, less than 23. Sorry for any confusion. Not feeling singled out or anything. Just hoping to clarify things for future reference. And for the record, it doesn't matter what anyone is feeding a fid. Things happen. Nothing can make that any clearer than the most recent round of recalls. Parronts should always be watchful for any changes. And that's not a statement I can be made to justify. Ever. Edited September 20, 2012 by birdhouse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Thank God for opinions, note: you wrote, "If no one ever tested the boundaries, domestic parrots would routinely have their wings clipped," Please note, parrots will not be domesticated for at least 200,000 more years. On a side note, You can make Smash out of pumpkin, remember nutmeg is bad for our parrots, cinnamon is greyt.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerial.2000 Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 Sometimes I wonder why I even post .... Sorry that once again something I thought I could bring something fun here, learn a thing or 2 and it has turned into "This". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Again, I sincerely apologize for my part in this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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